Put your money where success has been – a rapid review of interventions to improve pastoral land condition in the southern rangelands of Western Australia
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
6-2025
Conference Title
XII International Rangeland Congress 2025: Working Together for our Global Rangelands Future
Place of Publication
Adelaide
ISBN
978-0-646-72121-7
Keywords
regeneration techniques, evaluation, WA Goldfields
Disciplines
Agricultural Education | Environmental Monitoring | Soil Science
Abstract
The paper reports on a six-day study trip of rangeland regeneration efforts implemented between 1984 - 99 in the Goldfields Region of Western Australia (WA). Results of land regeneration efforts have been influenced by the extent and severity of degradation, fragility of soil type, episodic flooding and drought, and the degree of total grazing pressure (TGP) control. Locally endemic plant species fared better than sown native species. The long-term effect of cultivation has been variable as have the benefits of shallow water ponding. The benefit of any cultivation has depended on the proximity of seed source areas of native species. Plant establishment has been improved where the water ponding has made the surface soil more sodic and cracked. Deeper, longer-lasting ponding behind bulldozer-built banks has been effective in rehabilitating rangelands. A small study of fracturing hardpan with explosives has shown benefits. Measurement of Mulga (Acacia aneura) trees planted in water-ponded areas has allowed an assessment of mean annual increments of carbon that could inform future carbon farming initiatives in the rangelands.
Recommended Citation
Penny, N,
and
Williams, A R.
(2025), Put your money where success has been – a rapid review of interventions to improve pastoral land condition in the southern rangelands of Western Australia, XII International Rangeland Congress 2025: Working Together for our Global Rangelands Future, Adelaide, pp.781-786.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/conf_papers/335
